04/02/2026
Yvonne is preparing to go home after her second stay in our In-Patient Unit, dispelling a commonly held belief about hospices.
Yvonne - who is receiving palliative care treatment for liver and bone cancer - was admitted to Strathcarron in November last year.
She was so unwell, she thought she would die.
She received specialist support and pain management which stabilised her.
After three weeks she went home to spend Christmas with her family and friends, supported by our specialist community teams (clinical nurse specialists).
💙 Time to make every moment count.
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After a deterioration in her health over the last couple of weeks, Yvonne has been admitted to our In-Patient Unit for a second time.
She has received pain management and hopes to go home again at the end of this week.
A huge rugby fan - her short term goal is to watch the Six Nations Rugby together on TV with close family and friends.
There have been a lot of smiles and laughter from Yvonne during her stay, despite her circumstances - reflecting her effervescent personality.
This is Hospice care.
💙Everything we do in our community, is for our community, and with our community, to enable people to live and die well.
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🗨️ Yvonne said: “When I was first admitted to the Hospice last year I didn’t think I would get out. I thought that was it for me.
"I knew of the Hospice and the amazing care provided as my friend Katy had passed away here and she had a good, comfortable experience, but I didn’t know Strathcarron provided palliative care.
"When I was admitted it was actually a relief.
“The Strathcarron team got my medication sorted out and I got home, getting some time back with my son Stewart and my friends.
"When I told them I was getting home no-one believed me! I had been so unwell when I came in – I really thought I was finished.
“My friends put the Christmas tree up for me coming home and I celebrated my birthday in December with a special tea party with my friends – making special memories all together.
“I feel grateful I really have a great group of friends. We all grew up together.
"I’ve always been the one who felt like I looked after everyone else, and now they’re looking after me – I’m finding that hard.”
🗨️She added: “It felt weird to be coming into the Hospice a second time, as I thought this was it, but I’m getting out again.
"I feel a wee bit better and I know I have stuff to do, things I want to sort out, so it’s positive to have some extra time ahead to do that.
“When my time comes, I won’t be scared about coming to the Hospice to die. I don’t want to die at home.
"I can’t control every aspect of my life I will need to let things take their course. There are things you can control and things you can’t.
“My goal is to be here for Stewart’s birthday in March and my friend Lesley’s 50th in June.
"The only way I can keep going is to be upbeat and positive and keep my sense of humour, there is nothing else for it.
“Having that extra time has allowed me to plan my own funeral – I’m having a purple coffin – and I have been fundraising for the Hospice to give something back.
“Nothing is a problem here for the staff – they just want to make sure you are safe and pain free.”
ℹ️ Find out more about our services ➡️ buff.ly/6G8bOfN
📸 Yvonne is pictured during a visit at the hospice from the fantastic Lunar Eclipse EFL Therapy Horses CIC Non Profit
